A blog offering the thoughts of Matthew Steeples on a variety of matters.

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Pips to the Point

The sale of Tapeka Point, a motor
launch once used by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton

It’s been an interesting
week for Miss Pippa Middleton. First she got herself involved in a furore
surrounding a party in Paris and a gun wielding Audi driver named Romain
Rabillard.

Pippa
Middleton (bottom left) on the cover of the 30th April edition of Time magazine alongside others on their
list of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.” Amongst them are
Rhianna, Hilary Clinton, Adele, Mitt Romney and Warren Buffett

Though Time then listed her as one of the world’s most influential, she was
also branded a “national embarrassment” by The
Independent’s Terence Blacker. Yesterday, my piece in response to the
inaccuracies surrounding that particular article attracted both vitriol and
adoration in equal measure. I was truly surprised by what feeling this young
lady brings out in people from all manner of backgrounds.

Tapeka
Point

This morning, one of my favourite columnists, Richard Eden of The Telegraph’s “Mandrake,” printed yet
another story about the Middleton clan. His column detailed that a Bournemouth
based auctioneer was selling a motor launch that was used by the family on a holiday
with Prince William in 2006. It stated that the seller believed a premium could
be achieved because of the royal effect.

The 40ft Windy Borer, named
Tapeka Point and registered in Poole, was built in 2001 and accommodates 6 in 3
double cabins. Designed by Hans J. Johnsen and built by Widy Boats AS, auctioneer
John Elsmore, in a separate article in the Bournemouth
Daily Echo, is quoted as believing the Pippa effect will also further boost
the £120,000 starting price.

Prince William with Carole, James and Pippa
Middleton onboard Tapeka Point, hull number WIN40052E101, in Ibiza in 2006 and
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the stern of the boat

After the week Miss
Middleton has had, she probably wishes she were back on this boat and sailing
off into the sunset. Perhaps she should put in a bid.

If Americans did it, I would have thought “national embarrassment” was a more fitting description of Time.But they don't, embarrassment isn't in their DNA.Just a comment, rare things indeed, to say hello Matthew.